What They Said: The Indiana Perspective

CHAMPAIGN - Notable quotables from Indiana players following the 31-17 victory over Illinois.

QB Nate Sudfeld

On the last drive with the five running plays and then the play-action pass…

"It was a great job by our coaches, dialing up runs that were working. We kist kept running it and running it and then (Illinois) were biting the run hard and so we did a play-action roll out and Shane Wynn was wide open and I was just trying to make sure he caught it and tried to float it to him. But just great play calling and great execution by our running back to set up the play-action, just great overall team effort."

Did you actually have an option on that play to run or pass?

Yeah, our option is this guy, this guy, this guy, quarterback take off. SO I kind of went one, two three, Shane was open. I would have run if he wasn't open, but he was wide open, so it worked out."

On the offensive line and the pass protection today and what worked out there…

"They're so young and they're doing great and Will (Matte) is a great leader as the center on the o-line and coach Frey and coach Wilson did a great job with the o-line putting the quarterbacks and running backs in situations where we have protection and holes. They're young, and they work really hard and they take coaching really well and take pride in protecting us quarterbacks and opening holes. They were big for us."

Safety Greg Heban

How does it feel to finally get a Big Ten win?

"It feels great. We're hoping it's going to snowball. We've got to come out ready to go next week as well. We've got a big challenge next week against Iowa. It feels great to get this first win and road win, too. Having a road win starting off the Big Ten is great."

How do you feel the defense played in the second half?

"We played great. I think we gave up 14 points in the first half, but could have been down to seven. I don't think we made a couple plays that we should have, a couple missed tackles that we've still got to work on. Overall I think the defense played a great game, came out in the second half ready to go knowing that this game was ours to take."

On the success that Illinois had with the stretch and read option…

"We tried to adjust to it during the first half, but we made most of our adjustments at halftime and I think coming out the second half, we did a great job adjusting. The coaches did a great job realizing that's what we needed to do."

On the defensive line and the pressure they caused…

"Any time you get pressure on the QB, it makes it a lot easier for the secondary and everyone in coverage. I think you give credit to the secondary, too. When Scheelhaase is out there scrambling at the end, we did a great job staying in coverage and kudos to the d-line for getting as much pressure as they can. They did a great job the whole second half."